UKC

It seems the Turkish Military are attempting a takeover!

Developing now on the news.

Very worrying if they get their way. Right on the border of Europe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36809083

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Don't worry we're safe now we've left the EU.






^ Sarcasam
Seriously though I just hope no-one gets hurt.

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Anyone with more knowledge of the political situation care to comment? Would the military be a large to the right? More secular?

In reply to Bobling:

I'm guessing that the army would be more secular, and a counter to the Islamist tendencies of Erdogan.

In reply to balmybaldwin:

I guess this gets Boris off the hook over that limerick!

In reply to Coel Hellier:


Tendencies???

In reply to Indy:

Tendency

[ten-duh n-see]
noun, plural tendencies.
1.
a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result:
the tendency of falling bodies toward the earth.
2.
an inclination, bent, or predisposition to something:
a tendency to talk too much.

In reply to balmybaldwin: the Army see themselves as the natural guardian of Ataturks secular legacy. Let's hope this pans out peacefully

In reply to balmybaldwin:
My friend Suzie near Antalya says they heard nothing through local media only from me and others outside turkey, wasn't sure whether I was pulling her leg until some soldiers have turned up at the local police station, but the soldiers are just sitting around and she seems pretty unconcerned and has gone home to bed

In reply to balmybaldwin:

This might be no bad thing overall. Didn't see it coming though.

In reply to Coel Hellier:

The call to arms for his countrymen. You've got to be impressed by the speed he moves.

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Probably best. The army have announced a curfew and Erdogan has told people to take to the streets. Good to know he is more concerned about his power than the safety of his people.

Ha ! Beaten to it on other thread.

In reply to balmybaldwin:
Seems the President might have flown the country


And now there's shooting on the streets

In reply to balmybaldwin:


Wouldn't it be ironic if his plane found itself on the wrong side of the Syrian border?

In reply to Clauso:

and happened across a trigger happy Mig pilot with a grudge?

In reply to marsbar:


while apparently sodding off in a private jet.
"you shall fight on the beaches,
you shall fight on the landing grounds,
you shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
I will come back in my jet if you, sorry, we win"

In reply to balmybaldwin:

It's part of their constitution that the military can act to keep Turkey secular.

In reply to Timmd:


No it isn't. The military like to think that it is, but it isn't. Like any decent secular constitution, the guarantee is legal, and the military is subordinate to the executive. The extent to which the military have political power is a consequence of previous military dictatorships, and despite what many seem to think, military dictatorship is rarely a protection for democracy. The fact that all the major opposition groups opposed the coup, despite the dire situation in Turkey, tells you a lot about this legacy.

Sad though it is, Erdogan has popular support. If there were army officers who wanted him gone, then they would have been better advised to resign their commissions and run for office themselves rather than driving tanks over unarmed protesters in the streets. As it happens, all they have achieved is to hand Erdogan the excuse he needed to tear up the rule book and rewrite it the way he wants. A sad day for Turkey.

In reply to balmybaldwin:
It's looking now like democracy might not have won out - how many judges sacked?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36817980

The people seem happy tho

In reply to MarkJH:

Thanks for the info, I thought it seemed a bit odd.